Today's recipes come from the Junior League's 2012 recipe book, Pinches and Dashes. Get more information about the new cookbook at pinchesanddashes.org!
Crispy Cheese Crackers
Category: Starters
Number of Servings: 4 dozen
Prep time: 5 minutes, plus roll out time Cook Time: 10-12 minutes Chill Time: at least 1 hour
½ cup (1 stick) butter, chilled
1cup flour, plus more for dusting
1cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
¼ cup parmesan, grated
1tsp salt, plus dash for baking
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
1 egg
In a food processor, blend all the ingredients except egg until dough ball forms. Wrap in wax paper or saran and refrigerate for at least one hour. Dough can be made up to two days in advance and left to chill in the refrigerator.
To prepare, remove dough from refrigerator to remove chill. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat egg and set aside. Divide dough in thirds. Working on lightly floured surface, roll dough as thin as possible, about ¼ inch thick. Brush dough with egg wash and using pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut dough into long strips, about 2 1/2inches long by 1 inch wide. Sprinkle with salt, and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until golden.
When cooled, place in bowl and cover with tea cloth. Do not place in airtight container because trapped moisture will wilt crackers. For maximum enjoyment, prior to serving, warm in heat tolerant serving dish.
A Rather Smart Cranberry Salsa
Category: Starters
Serving Size: 8
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes, plus marinate for several hours or overnight
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1 package (12 ounces) fresh/frozen cranberries
1 lime, zested and juiced
1 white onion, finely chopped
1 red pepper, finely chopped
1 green pepper, finely chopped
1 bunch fresh cilantro, finely chopped
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
1 fresh jalapeno pepper, finely chopped
1 jicama, finely chopped
2 ripe tomatoes, peeled and chopped
Salted corn chips for serving
Bring water to boil; add sugar and stir in cranberries. Cook until skins split on most of cranberries. Cool and refrigerate. Once cooled, add lime zest and juice. Microwave onion in covered dish for one minute. Add chilled cranberries, red pepper, green pepper, cilantro, parsley, jalapeno and jicama.
Stir in tomatoes. Let marinate for several hours or overnight. Serve with salted corn chips.
Drops of Sunshine
Category: Sweet Treats
Yields: 2 dozen
Total Prep time: 10 minutes, plus 1 hour cooling time Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
Cookie:
¾ cup shortening
1 cup sugar
3 eggs
2 cups flour
¾ tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp salt
2 packages (3.4 oz) lemon flavored instant pudding mix
Glaze:
1½ cups powdered sugar
3 tbsp lemon juice
1 lemon, zested
Cookie: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, beat shortening at medium speed until fluffy. Gradually add sugar, beating well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. In medium bowl, mix together flour, baking soda, salt and pudding mix, then gradually add to shortening mixture, beating well.
Drop dough by tablespoon-fulls, rounded into balls, onto lightly greased cookie sheets. Bake 10 to 12 minutes, until lightly browned. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheets then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
Glaze: In small bowl, whisk together ingredients and lightly glaze each cookie when cooled.
